Swopshire Lands His First Offer

Jordan Swopshire, (SportsQuest Academy, VA) a 6-6 small forward, has to be one of the most underrated prospects in the class of 2013.

The athletic, lean, sharpshooter has yet to reel in any high major offers but has continued to prove himself as one of the best wings in a stacked recruiting class.

Not only was Swopshire named to the USA Developmental National Team but was also selected to the USA Basketball Boys 3-on-3 Youth World Championship Team in Italy.

The most recent trip to Italy didn't end as planned but he still walked away a better player.

"Yes definitely," he said of leaving a better player. "I was the distributor, which is a role I never played before. So it was good"

The USA team that also featured Shaqquan Aaron, Rondae Jefferson and Malik Price-Martin, finished eighth in the tournament with a 7-5 record.

"It was great other than the fact that we lost," he said. "[It was] the best experience of my life."

Swopshire's recruitment should be on the rise after his high school season is over, and as he heads into his final year of AAU basketball.

So far, he's had interest from Arizona, Florida, Georgetown, Illinois, Louisville, Miami (FL) and Tennessee. Memphis and VCU are still on him the hardest, despite the fact that neither one has decided to offer yet.

The lone school that stands as his only offer is Kent State, who is new to his recruitment. East Carolina is also a new name in his circle and could offer as well.

After returning from Italy, Swopshire mains focus has been on improving and getting ready for basketball season. A few coaches are expected to make their rounds out to Virginia to see the 6-6 swingman.

"Only one has come," he said of coaches coming to his open gyms. But also added, "Tennessee, Memphis and East Carolina are coming in within these next two weeks."

He said that he wanted to visit VCU after he returned back from Italy and hasn't done so yet but still plans on it.

"No, not yet," he said of visiting VCU. "I will before the season though."

With the recent improvements to his game and continued development of his frame, Swopshire will soon be a hot commodity. He already has a great jump shot but coaches are looking forward to him developing his handle to become more of a slashing threat. As he continues to improve on that, his offer list will only grow.

Johnson Lands UNC Offer

Brice Johnson (Edisto, SC) picked up another scholarship offer when North Carolina coach Roy Williams phoned him late last night and extended an offer.

Johnson now has offers from Clemson, UConn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Louisville, North Carolina, NC State, Ohio State, and South Carolina.

Johnson, 6-9 power forward, has really emerged as one of the top big men in the class of 2012. He was the Gatorade Player of the Year in South Carolina last season after averaging 23 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocks, three assist and two steals per game.

Johnson is an intriguing athlete with a mixture of size and athleticism that allows him to be dominate in the frontcourt.

He can also step outside the paint and knock down that mid-range jumper.

After the summer he's had, his phone has been ringing off the hook lately. Last time I spoke with Johnson, he said, "[I want to go play] anywhere I can go play and get a degree."

Jaylen Bond to Texas


The Texas Longhorns picked up its seventh commitment in the 2011 class early Tuesday from a flying under the radar, three man in former Pitt commit Jaylen Bond.

"[Rick Barnes is] a great coach, the city is nice and I can play right away," Bond said. Texas did end up losing its three superstars in Cory Josephs, Tristian Thompson and Jordan Hamilton but have reloaded completely.

Bond joins a class that features Myck Kabongo, Sterling Gibbs, Sheldon McClellan, Jonathan Holmes and Julien Lewis to name a few.

Swopshire waiting on offers


Jordan Swopshire (Fort Zumwalt South, MO) has yet to pick up any offers despite being one of the most talented players in the class of 2013. On the day when Swopshire could receive calls from schools, he received nothing.

"Shocking," he said by text. "I was promised four or five calls." But, things may have gotten a little better for the 6-6 wing. Following our brief conversation, he informed me that he was selected to represent USA in Rome, Italy.

"I'm totally honored," he said. "I can't wait to get back to work." Swopshire has heard a lot from VCU and Memphis, with interest in Arizona, Florida, Georgetown, Illinois, Louisville, Miami (FL), Missouri and Tennessee.

Jordan Swopshire's Recruitment Wide Open

Jordan Swopshire (Fort Zumwalt South, MO) showed over this past year why he may be the top junior in the state.

Swopshire was one of the 24-players who was selected to the 2011-12 U16 USA Basketball Men's Developmental National Team.

He was also an All-Conference Honorable Mention after averaging 10.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and three assist per game during his sophomore year in high school.

At 6-foot-5, 180-pounds, Swopshire is listed as a small forward but may project as a shooting guard in college.

His perimeter game is great and he has the potential to be a terrific defender but his ball-handling has to improve before making that jump.

Swopshire hasn't received any offers yet but he's hoping this summer will change that. "I just got off the phone with VCU, and Memphis has been following me during my past few tournaments," he said.

"[Memphis] is suppose to be watching me in Vegas, so I think those two schools will be my first two offers."

It should be noted that Jordan's brother, Jared Swopshire was being recruited by Shaka Smart just three years ago when he was an assistant at Clemson.

His brother Jared ended up picking Louisville and Smart missed out on his chance with the older brother but is rolling the dice again with the younger brother.

Memphis and VCU are trying to close in on the 6-5 wing and he's certainly noticing their efforts.

"Memphis and VCU are probably the highest on me right now," he said. "They are all calling my coaches, contacting me and at my games."

Arizona, Florida, Georgetown, Illinois, Louisville, Miami (FL) and Tennessee are the other schools that he's considering right now.

One of the bigger surprises in his recruitment is the lack of effort by Mizzou. Swopshire said that he hasn't heard much from his hometown school Mizzou since the Spring.

"Mizzou they started recruiting me this Spring," he said. "But this July, I haven't seen them or heard from them, so I don't know how that will work."

With no offers, a decision timeline is not in the near future. Right now, he's just focusing on getting better and picking up his first offer.

"Right now, I'm just hoping to get some offers first and take it from there," he said. "I'll probably commit before my senior season though."

Outside of basketball, Swopshire considers himself a true student-athlete. Despite spending most of his time getting better as a basketball player, including waking up at 4 am to put up shots, he is still able to maintain a 3.3 GPA in school. 

He has done a great job of representing himself as, not only a great basketball player, but a great person as well.

Lance Tejada picks up Tennessee interest

Lance Tejada, (Miramar, FL) a 2014 point guard has gained interest from Tennessee. Just yesterday, coaches called his coach inquiring about the 5-foot-11 freshman guard.

Tejada averaged 8.2 points, four assist, 2.5 steals and 2.1 rebounds per game. He also led Miramar High School to a 20-7 (12-0) record and finish top-5 for freshman in the state of Florida in steals and assist.

Central Florida and Miami (FL) are the other schools that have showed interest.

Myles Davis commits to Xavier

Myles Davis (Notre Dame Prep, MA) ended his recruitment with a verbal commitment to Xavier. Davis joins a recruiting class that already features 7-4 center Sim Bhullar and 6-10 power forward James Farr.

"I would like to announce that I will be a Musketeer at Xavier University," Davis said late night on his Twitter account.

Davis is a combo-guard with a very strong perimeter game. His abilities compliment the already committed players and his jump shot will definitely be an asset for Xavier.